The nurse determines that a patient is showing a decline in explicit memory. Which characterizes such a deficiency?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because difficulty remembering the name of a place visited 20 years ago is a specific example of explicit memory decline. Explicit memory refers to the ability to consciously recall past events, facts, or experiences. This choice directly relates to a long-term memory retrieval issue, which is a hallmark of explicit memory decline. Choices A, C, and D do not specifically address explicit memory decline but rather touch on different memory processes such as procedural memory (A), short-term memory (C), and semantic memory (D).

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis in this case is C: Risk for suicide. This is because the patient is exhibiting suicidal ideation, which poses an immediate threat to their safety and well-being. Suicidal ideation requires urgent intervention to ensure the patient's safety. The patient's major depression, weight gain, and lack of symptom remission from the antidepressant medication further emphasize the seriousness of the situation. Choices A, B, and D are not the priority in this scenario as they do not address the immediate risk of harm to the patient. Imbalanced nutrition and chronic low self-esteem are important concerns but do not take precedence over the risk of suicide. Hopelessness, while relevant, is not as urgent as addressing the immediate risk of suicide.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A): Reporting the findings to the health care provider is the next best action because elevated BUN and creatinine levels indicate possible renal dysfunction, which could be causing the psychiatric symptoms. The health care provider needs this information to determine appropriate treatment and further evaluation. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Assessing the patient for a history of renal problems is not the next best action because the lab results already indicate potential renal issues. C: Assessing the patient’s family history for cardiac problems is irrelevant to the elevated BUN and creatinine levels and the psychiatric symptoms. D: Arranging for the patient’s hospitalization on the psychiatric unit is premature without addressing the underlying medical issue indicated by the lab results.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because showing no emotion when discussing a personal tragedy is indicative of blunted affect, a negative symptom commonly seen in residual schizophrenia. This behavior aligns with the diagnostic criteria for residual schizophrenia, which includes the presence of negative symptoms like flat affect. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to negative symptoms of schizophrenia. A communicating style or claims about worms do not specifically indicate negative symptoms, and maintaining arms awkwardly overhead is not a typical symptom of residual schizophrenia.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because consistent inappropriate laughing is a characteristic symptom of disorganized schizophrenia. This observation aligns with the disorganized behavior and affect commonly seen in this subtype of schizophrenia. Option A is not specific to disorganized schizophrenia. Option B does not directly relate to disorganized symptoms. Option D suggests paranoia, which is more indicative of paranoid schizophrenia rather than disorganized schizophrenia.